The Definitive Screen Joker

Who, or what, in your opinion makes the definitive Joker? To my knowledge, there have been four potrayals of the character by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, and Heath Ledger.

I feel each character has a distinct edge. Being part of tv series' Romero and Hamill have far more appearances as the character, especially Hamill when you factor in all of the crossovers, DTV films, and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

I think it's obvious that Hamill's potrayal in the video game has been the closest to the comic book character. But there have been various interpretaions of the character in the books, just like there have been in the television and movie adaptions.

How do you feel these four actors rank? What makes a great Joker? Who's approach do you like the most? Which potrayal's look did you like the most?

My Opinion
1.Mark Hamill
2.Heath Ledger
3.Cesar Romero
4.Jack Nicholson

I'll weigh in on the reasons after I hear some of yours.

heath ledger. As much as i like mark's voice, in the batman tas joker sometimes was pathetic.

Ledger's my favorite/the best in my opinion, with Hamill as second. Ledger brought the character to life and really blew me away with his portrayal. I still remember how impressed I was the first time I saw TDK in theaters. Ledger got better monologues than Hamill did as TAS Joker, he was far, far creepier, it was a fuller performance. Hamill does awesome, consistent voicework, but voice actors are limited - Heath Ledger inhabited the role physically and mentally and gave us a one-of-a-kind performance. Looks badass too.

Batman: Arkham Asylum Joker looks far more creepier than Ledger's Joker.

Eh, that's debatable. To me, the context of Nolan's semi-realistic world makes Ledger's Joker's appearance creepier. You can imagine actually running into that version and shitting your pants or something. The AA Joker looks creepy for sure, but just the fact that he's computer-generated kind of detracts from the overall creepiness imo.

If you ran into AA Joker in reality you would shit your drawers.

YouTube video

Ledger did better than I thought he would as Joker. I wasn't happy about him just being a scarred guy in makeup though. I did like the lines "I'm like a dog chasing a car." And "I just do." Plus the magic trick scene screamed Joker to me. I think Ledger did an admirable job of a different take on Joker.

Hamill does a fine voice for Joker. To me, he's the most atypical version. Has both the "campiness" of Romero and the psycho killer aspect of the comics.

Nicholson seemed to capture the "brilliant psycho" persona of Joker imo.

Romero's Joker was the most fun imo. Nothing like a campy version for laughs.

I like them all equally, but Romano.

Nicholson was BRILLANT, and so was Ledger. Hamill is a classic.

Nicholson was too "Jack Nicholson" and not enough "Joker."

best Joker is Ledger, Jack being second..

Hamill does the voice very well

Originally posted by SnakeEyes
Nicholson was too "Jack Nicholson" and not enough "Joker."

Then I watched Mask of the Phantasm right after it. Hamill is brilliant as the Joker. He nailed the part in this film. Watch below at 3:11

YouTube video

I think they all do a good job in fitting in with their individual takes on Gotham and intergrating into that. I prefer Heaths Joker, in particular the fact there is no back story to how he came to be creates more of a mystique. Just my opinion.

Originally posted by Darth Martin
Who, or what, in your opinion makes the definitive Joker? To my knowledge, there have been four potrayals of the character by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, and Heath Ledger.

I feel each character has a distinct edge. Being part of tv series' Romero and Hamill have far more appearances as the character, especially Hamill when you factor in all of the crossovers, DTV films, and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

I think it's obvious that Hamill's potrayal in the video game has been the closest to the comic book character. But there have been various interpretaions of the character in the books, just like there have been in the television and movie adaptions.

How do you feel these four actors rank? What makes a great Joker? Who's approach do you like the most? Which potrayal's look did you like the most?

[B]My Opinion
1.Mark Hamill
2.Heath Ledger
3.Cesar Romero
4.Jack Nicholson

I'll weigh in on the reasons after I hear some of yours. [/B]

My list is almost exactly like yours.Only Difference is I have is I put Romero at #2 and Ledger at # 3.Will give my reasons later.

Originally posted by Badabing
Ledger did better than I thought he would as Joker. I wasn't happy about him just being a scarred guy in makeup though. I did like the lines "I'm like a dog chasing a car." And "I just do." Plus the magic trick scene screamed Joker to me. I think Ledger did an admirable job of a different take on Joker.

Hamill does a fine voice for Joker. To me, he's the most atypical version. Has both the "campiness" of Romero and the psycho killer aspect of the comics.

Nicholson seemed to capture the "brilliant psycho" persona of Joker imo.

Romero's Joker was the most fun imo. Nothing like a campy version for laughs.

👆

My list:

Hamill
Nicholson
Ledger
Romero

While you can argue (quite well) that Ledger's was the better performance, i prefer the kind of Joker Nicholson was, so he gets the vote from me.

As awesome and terrifying and as mysterious as Heath's Joker was, Romero gets my vote.

A fusion of all 4:

-Hamil's laugh
-Romero's build
-Jack's origin
-Ledger's personality

And this costume:

I have a Joker figure like that but the trenchcoat and hat are grey (gray for my U.S. peeps), makes him look like a P.I.
Also I thought Jack's origin story was shit.

Originally posted by Dr Mystery
I have a Joker figure like that but the trenchcoat and hat are grey (gray for my U.S. peeps), makes him look like a P.I.
Also I thought Jack's origin story was shit.

I just love the idea of the Joker being a former gangster/hitman.

I can't seperate Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger.

jack and mark ftw